Santa Anita: Liaison back to work, looking out of town

Benoit & Associates

Liaison could make his next start at Oaklawn or Fair Grounds, trainer Bob Baffert said.

Liaison, winner of the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park in December who lost his rider in midstretch of his 3-year-old debut here in the Robert Lewis Stakes on Feb. 4, worked a half-mile in 47 seconds Wednesday.

Liaison worked in company with Gator Warrior, who was timed in 47.80. For Liaison, the half-mile workout was his first since the loss in the Lewis Stakes and was second-fastest of 24 works at the distance.

“I worked him without blinkers, and he worked really well,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

Baffert hinted that Liaison may make his next start away from the speed-favoring track at Santa Anita, and could appear at Oaklawn Park or Fair Grounds.

“I don’t think he suits this track,” Baffert said. “I’ve got to figure out the best way to get him to the Kentucky Derby.”

Baffert has a deep team of candidates for the Kentucky Derby. At Fair Grounds, the Hall of Fame trainer could have runners in races such as the $300,000 Risen Star Stakes on Feb. 25 or the $1 million Louisiana Derby on April 1.

“They’ll be nominated everywhere, and whoever is doing good that week will get on a plane and go,” Baffert said of his 3-year-olds.